Page 20

"Nerissa," Sevan spoke first, her attention focused on the woman standing by our table.

Who didn't bother to meet my stare for obvious reasons.

She's scared of me.

"I wasn't sure it was you, Cortez," Nerissa said, giving her a respectful nod, which naturally made me roll my eyes, "You do dinner?"

"We do dinner," I corrected her, but Nerissa still hesitated to meet my stare, "It's business and you are interrupting."

Sevan pursed her lips, but it was clearly only to hold back her amusement.

"Bye Nerissa," Sevan said, automatically sending her away as her dark eyes naturally met mine.

"Da, bye-bye Nerissa," I purposely said in a sweet tone, diverting my attention to the woman who drew in a visibly irritated breath as she backed away from our table.

A satisfied smirk grew on my lips as I watched Nerissa practically slither off to the main area of the restaurant.

"Don't look at her like that," Sevan said as she picked up her wine glass.

My attention immediately snapped back to Sevan, "What? I enjoy plotting on her very much," I said, happily picking up my glass to take a sip.

Sevan shook her head as she eyed my face, "Plot on her but keep your eyes over here," she said, taking a sip of her wine.

And naturally making my eyes subtly divert lower where they shouldn't be.

"Jealous malyshka?" I purposely murmured, glancing up from her lips to meet her stare.

Sevan tilted her head, emphasizing her sharp jawline, "Not when I can handle her," she said, her dark eyes not once wavering from mine, "Or when I had you spread wide for me across my dining room table."

I clenched my jaw, feeling a familiar desperation burn inside of me.

"Or when I use toy you gifted me," I purposely said, raising a brow at her.

Sevan hummed, "Yes Zinovia, just like that," she said, her words easily holding a double meaning to me, "Or when I use that same toy on you."

I reached out, picking up my wine glass to take the longest fucking sip of my life.

Because suddenly I feel parched.

And for something between her legs.

"I remember the wetness you left behind on my shoe Zinovia," Sevan said, lowering her voice even more as her dark eyes held mine, "The one I pressed against your core while you fucked me with your mouth."

I clenched my jaw as I swallowed my sip, "Da, I am always very wet," I decided to say, purposely playing her game, "Even right now Sevan," I whispered so delicately.

Sevan hummed tightly, her dark eyes trailing my face, "I can't wait to play with it," she murmured, nearly sending my thoughts into a fucking spiral.

And suddenly I can't think of words, much less string a sentence together.

Until I blinked a few times, immediately resenting the amused smile that grew on Sevan's lips.

"I play with it tonight and send you video malyshka," I decided to say, lifting my wine glass for another sip that I hoped would soothe the fire burning me inside out.

Sevan smirked slightly, "You're such a good girl baby," she said, holding my stare as I internally tried to get my fucking self together, "Send me a video of what's mine—all angles."

I felt my lips twitch up slightly before I forced them back down, "I get mirror over bed and on walls," I said, for once using a... joking tone?

Which naturally made Sevan grow even more amused as she shook her head.

"You're funny Zinovia," Sevan said as she took a brief sip of her wine.

I shrugged nonchalantly even if I felt my lips begging to tilt up, "When I want to be," I murmured casually, glancing over to our waitress who approached our table.

And it didn't take long to read off our orders to her.

Which Sevan specified we take to-go.

Mostly because Nerissa is still off in the restaurant somewhere.

It's like a feeling of being watched even if she's not in view sight.

So after a few more minutes, we slid out of our shared booth, walking together at an appropriate distance to the front of the restaurant.

Considering the simple dishes we got and Sevan's high tip, our food was ready in less than fifteen minutes.

And somehow in that time span, Sevan already had a separate car for me to ride in.

Just in case Nerissa was nosy enough to follow us out.

Our goodbyes were nonexistent as we walked out of the restaurant, separating to go to our different chauffeured cars.

There were no plans for after considering we had already been spotted.

And for once when I arrived back at my compound, I left on my sweatpants and tank top—only removing my makeup to climb in bed and eat my food.

Which felt like a weirdly comforting experience.

I had never done such a thing before.

???????

The next morning I woke up and decided I would gift Sevan breakfast in bed—only virtually.

I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and took a long hot shower.

The robe I pulled on after barely stayed on for longer than a minute.

My body was bare and burning with ideas of what I wanted to do to myself—imagining her face when she watched.

So I decided to set up my phone on my nightstand, setting it sideways to capture my entire bed.

I specifically grabbed the toy Sevan gifted me, deciding to let my fingers do the rest.

It didn't take long for my clit to start throbbing under my touch—rubbing and flicking it with my fingers as I laid on my back with my legs spread wide.

I was angled to the side, shielding what she wanted to see most as the camera only captured the side view of my hand between my legs.

Moans and hums vibrated in my chest as I arched further and further up into the air.

It wasn't hard to feel the wetness growing between my legs, purposely teasing myself more to drag out my orgasm and Sevan's patience when she watches the video.

I slowed my pace down and then quickened it back up—basking in the warmth growing in my lower stomach.

Until eventually, I grew desperate enough to grab the vibrator beside me.

And slide it past my folds slicked with nothing but wetness.

Yes, there was the subtle vibration, but there was also my wetness that you could hear with each thrust that I made.

And I knew it would drive Sevan fucking insane when she hears it—much less watches me bury the vibrator deeper and deeper inside of myself with each thrust.

Until I arched just right.

And hit my spot that I continuously thrusted the dildo against, feeling my orgasm slowly ripple up my body and consume me whole.

My lips naturally parted even further apart, panting so fucking wildly as I basked in the feeling overtaking every inch of my body.

Until I eventually relaxed into the bed, letting out the longest content sigh as I turned the vibrator off and slid it out of me.

I didn't waste any time getting out of bed and standing on my slightly loose legs.

And once I had the recording cut off, I headed over to my bathroom to wash the toy before storing it.

I grabbed my robe next, pulling it back on and climbing into my bed as I grabbed my phone.

Naturally, I brought my legs to my chest, basking in the afterglow of my orgasm as I cropped the video I made at the beginning and end.

Until I sent it to Sevan with a text saying good morning.

After that, I got dressed for the day—wearing my usual dress with stockings and a fur coat.

My hair was slicked back into a low bun, wearing minimal makeup.

All that today consisted of was a few check-ins to ensure everything is running smoothly, and then there's a board meeting I need to be at.

Otherwise, my schedule isn't too packed.

Aside from the event I was supposedly invited to by Nazara.

I technically wouldn't have to go after what happened in that bathroom.

But since Sevan's hosting it...

I'm too curious not to attend.

"Via," Nikolai said as soon as I walked into the dining room—telling my dogs to sit outside the doors.

"Kol—Ivo," I said, glancing from Nikolai to Ivan who sat across from him as they filled up their plates with various foods from the breakfast spread.

I personally eyed the waffles, deciding I would be having one with a Xanax and a mimosa.

Only the champagne would be vodka.

"There's event tonight," I told them as I settled in my chair at the head of the table, "I want you both to come with me."

Ivan nodded as he chewed his food—meanwhile, Nikolai had started making my plate for me.

"We both attend by your side," Nikolai didn't hesitate to say, putting a waffle on my plate as soon as I pointed to it.

I nodded once, "Very good—we leave at eight," I told them as Nikolai set my plate down and Ivan motioned one of the servers over.

And once I specified vodka with my orange juice, I felt ready to eat—planning to take my Xanax after.

"We hear about your dinner with Executor last night," Nikolai said as I cut into my waffle.

I nodded, "I had one with the executioners the night before," I said, dipping the small piece of waffle I cut off into the sweet syrup before taking a bite.

"Yes, they seem to love our Via very much," Nikolai said, taking a bite of his bacon.

I hummed as I chewed my food, "The feeling isn't mutual," I said, setting down my silverware to grab my drink for a sip.

"Still it's very good that you are in their graces," Nikolai said, earning a silent nod of agreement from Ivan.

I shrugged, "It's fake—some of them don't like each other," I said, recalling Daria and Nazara, "Father taught me how to navigate treachery and traitors—not stuck-up women who smile through botox to pretend they adore you."

Nikolai's expression immediately widened in amusement—even Ivan looked somewhat entertained by my words.

His face was stoic but it was the look in his eyes.

He's amused.

"I still do very well," I said, determining that this situation could be worse.

Everything with Nazara is tied up as well, even if I feel like Sevan has yet to truly play her next move.

"You do—I think getting close with the executor is very good too," Nikolai said in agreement.

Yet I could only shake my head.

Mostly because we aren't that close—aside from the fact that my tongue has been buried inside her.

But that's not something anyone can know about.

"Da, she stops assigning so much fucking shipment," I said, purposely agreeing with Nikolai.

Only because disagreeing with him after me and Sevan just had dinner last night would look odd.

I suddenly glanced over, immediately noticing Yuri's presence as he walked toward us with a small limp.

And then there was Arina by his side, holding his hand as she helped him.

"Good morning," I spoke first, which naturally earned a blank look from Arina.

Yuri contrasted her with his usual friendly smile, "Very good morning Via—my Arina got offered a job in library," he said, which naturally made me glance over to Arina.

Who shrugged, "They say I do good with putting my books back," she said as she helped Yuri sit down in one of the chairs.

"We never could afford books, but Arina enjoyed the free library—"

"Shhh papa," Arina cut him short, blinking a few times in emphasis to not finish his sentence.

Which looked to be out of her own embarrassment.

"You work at library today?" I suddenly asked, deciding to forget about the previous topic.

Yuri nodded almost excitedly, "Yes—I go with her since they specify a guardian be present for her first shift," he said before Arina could speak, clearly excited that she got a job for herself.

"I'll take her," I suddenly said, which immediately made Nikolai and Ivan glance to me in confusion.

"You will?" Yuri mumbled with a tilted head.

"She will?" Arina said almost offensively.

Even I felt offended by my weird offer, but a small part of me wanted to do this.

Arina doesn't realize that I truly prefer hate over love.

And now that I know a little more about her past, I would enjoy learning more.

Only to rip someone's eyes out for seeing their wrongdoings and doing them to her anyway.

If they are still alive that is.

"Da, I take you today," I said, cutting into my waffle again as Arina eyed me with a narrowed look.

"But I don't want—"

"I take you, Arina," I cut her short in a calm tone, dipping the small piece of waffle in syrup.

Meanwhile, everyone at the table remained silent, clearly processing my offer.

While Arina sat there almost pouting—keeping her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she refused to eat.

But it didn't change our sudden plans together.

Once breakfast concluded, we said goodbye to Yuri while Nikolai and Ivan escorted us out to the running car.

The entire ten-minute drive to Petrovsky Institute, we sat in dead silence—neither of us making the effort to break it.

But I didn't necessarily mind it.

And my Xanax had kicked in, so I savored the silence.

Especially in the library lingering with silent teenagers focused on their studies.

"Ah, you must be Arina's mother," the older woman walked over to me, adjusting her frail circle lens glasses.

"Nyet," I shut her assumption down as Arina side-eyed her with a tilted look, "Koslov," I introduced myself, tilting my chin higher.

The woman who I assumed was the librarian immediately nodded a few times.

"Da, I understand—you are a guardian," she determined, her thin lips spreading into a smile, "I am Olga, very nice to meet you, Koslov."

I nodded once, glancing down to her hand that she held out for me.

And deciding not to shake it.

"I leave now," I said, briefly glancing over to Arina who immediately nodded.

Olga suddenly took a hesitant step toward me, "We will need you here Koslov—it's Arina's first shift so guardian must stay," she explained.

I narrowed my eyes at her, eyeing her wrinkled face, "Nyet, she's fine," I said, already hating the idea of staying in this stale library for a few hours.

It was nice when I walked in, but it's slowly losing its appeal to me.

"It's only for three hours, da? Then Arina feels very comfortable with a home presence here," Olga tried to convince me, motioning to the opening section couch.

"Not that comfortable," Arina had the nerve to mumble, glancing away from us both.

Which naturally made me roll my eyes.

Olga awkwardly laughed once, "Yes well Arina is thirteen so the school requires someone here for first shift," she said, no longer leaving room for me to say no, "Sit and I make you a nice cup of tea, Koslov."

I pursed my lips tightly together, briefly glancing over to Arina who seemed just as irritated by this predicament as me.

But I nodded anyways—very fucking reluctantly.

I didn't say one word to Arina as I walked over to the sectional couch in the corner, leaving Olga to make me a cup of tea.

Which I knew would most likely be good—probably like my late grandmother's.

I let out a long sigh, relaxing against the cushioned couch as I naturally crossed my leg over the other.

And as I settled in, I slipped my phone from my coat—immediately noticing two texts from Sevan.

*S hearted a video*

I drew in the deepest breath of my fucking life, clenching my thighs tightly together as I glanced away from my phone for a moment.

But I swear I couldn't act unaffected if I tried.

I was typing before I could think it through, sending the short text immediately.